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<p>Sea turtle reproduction involves complex physiological adaptations during nesting season, which are often reflected in blood analytes that offer insights into species-specific energy utilization and nutritional status during this energetically demanding period. The aims of this study were to (1) establish reference intervals for blood analytes associated with nutritional status and energy metabolism including packed cell volume (PCV), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total protein by refractometer, glucose, and lactate across 3–4 nesting seasons for three sea turtle species (leatherbacks <i>Dermochelys coriacea</i>, loggerheads <i>Caretta caretta</i>, and green turtles <i>Chelonia mydas</i>) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and cholesterol for loggerheads, (2) evaluate correlations among these analytes and with turtle size, and (3) evaluate changes across nearly the entire nesting season. Delayed processing effects on BHB and lactate were also assessed using point-of-care devices. Leatherbacks exhibited significant declines in PCV, BHB, total protein, and lactate across nesting season. In loggerheads, PCV, total protein, lactate, and cholesterol decreased, and BUN increased, while green turtles showed declining total protein and increasing glucose. Leatherbacks had the highest PCV and the lowest lactate and glucose of the three species, while loggerheads had the lowest PCV and total protein, and green turtles had the lowest BHB and highest total protein. A time‐series assessment demonstrated that BHB concentrations remained stable for up to 48&#xa0;h post‐collection using refrigerated blood, whereas lactate increased significantly after 24&#xa0;h, underscoring the importance of rapid sample processing. These findings provide species‐specific reference intervals, highlight metabolic adaptations associated with the capital breeding strategy in sea turtles, and offer valuable benchmarks for population monitoring, conservation management, and clinical interventions in rehabilitation settings.</p>

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Blood analytes relevant to nutritional status and energy metabolism in three sea turtle species across nesting season

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月13日

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  • Kristina L. Kaleel,
  • Justin R. Perrault,
  • Sarah E. Hirsch,
  • Brianna L. Myre,
  • Derek M. Aoki,
  • William R. Bishop,
  • Skyler Klingshirn,
  • Hannah Niland,
  • Selena Persaud,
  • Madison Toonder,
  • Nicole I. Stacy

摘要

Sea turtle reproduction involves complex physiological adaptations during nesting season, which are often reflected in blood analytes that offer insights into species-specific energy utilization and nutritional status during this energetically demanding period. The aims of this study were to (1) establish reference intervals for blood analytes associated with nutritional status and energy metabolism including packed cell volume (PCV), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total protein by refractometer, glucose, and lactate across 3–4 nesting seasons for three sea turtle species (leatherbacks Dermochelys coriacea, loggerheads Caretta caretta, and green turtles Chelonia mydas) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and cholesterol for loggerheads, (2) evaluate correlations among these analytes and with turtle size, and (3) evaluate changes across nearly the entire nesting season. Delayed processing effects on BHB and lactate were also assessed using point-of-care devices. Leatherbacks exhibited significant declines in PCV, BHB, total protein, and lactate across nesting season. In loggerheads, PCV, total protein, lactate, and cholesterol decreased, and BUN increased, while green turtles showed declining total protein and increasing glucose. Leatherbacks had the highest PCV and the lowest lactate and glucose of the three species, while loggerheads had the lowest PCV and total protein, and green turtles had the lowest BHB and highest total protein. A time‐series assessment demonstrated that BHB concentrations remained stable for up to 48 h post‐collection using refrigerated blood, whereas lactate increased significantly after 24 h, underscoring the importance of rapid sample processing. These findings provide species‐specific reference intervals, highlight metabolic adaptations associated with the capital breeding strategy in sea turtles, and offer valuable benchmarks for population monitoring, conservation management, and clinical interventions in rehabilitation settings.